Sanguinarine induces apoptosis in Eimeria tenella sporozoites via the generation of reactive oxygen species

Effects of natural extract from medicinal herbs on broilers experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of natural extracts from nine medicinal herbs (SMA) on the growth performance, immunity, and intestinal integrity of broilers experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella. A total of 252 one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into 7 groups with 3 replicates per group and 12 broilers per cage. The groups were uninfected-untreated blank control group (BC), infected-untreated negative control group (NC), SMA treatment groups, Chinese medicine positive control group (CM), and chemical drug positive control group (CD). The SMA groups were infected and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.6 (SMA-L), 0.8 (SMA-M), and 1.0 (SMA-H) g/kg SMA. The CM and CD groups were infected and fed a basal diet supplemented with 15 g/kg Jiqiuchong San and 0.2 g/kg Diclazuril, respectively. Results showed that feeding SMA could significantly reduce the number of oocysts in infected chickens, especially 1.0 g/kg SMA, which exhibited moderate anticoccidial efficacy. When infected with E. tenella, the supplementation of 1.0 g/kg SMA increased the renal index; restored the hepatic, splenic, and bursal indexes to BC levels; increased the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, and IgY; and reduced the contents of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-10 of the infected chickens. Moreover, treatment with 1.0 g/kg SMA alleviated the pathological changes in cecal tissue and increased the contents of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, claudin-1, and mucoprotein 2 (mucin-2) in cecal tissues of E. tenella-infected chickens. We found that 1.0 g/kg SMA reduced the number of oocysts, improved immunity, and alleviated intestinal barrier damage, which could improve the growth performance of infected chickens. Thus, SMA proved to be an effective natural extract against E. tenella and has the potential to be used as an efficient anticoccidial drug or additive.

Bioactivity and mechanism of action of sanguinarine and its derivatives in the past 10 years

Sanguinarine is a quaternary ammonium benzophenanthine alkaloid found in traditional herbs such as Chelidonium, Corydalis, Sanguinarum, and Borovula. It has been proven to possess broad-spectrum biological activities, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiosteoporosis, neuroprotective, and antipathogenic microorganism activities. In this paper, recent progress on the biological activity and mechanism of action of sanguinarine and its derivatives over the past ten years is reviewed. The results showed that the biological activities of hematarginine and its derivatives are related mainly to the JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, TGF-β, MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. The limitations of using sanguinarine in clinical application are also discussed, and the research prospects of this subject are outlined. In general, sanguinarine, a natural medicine, has many pharmacological effects, but its toxicity and safety in clinical application still need to be further studied. This review provides useful information for the development of sanguinarine-based bioactive agents.

Management and control of coccidiosis in poultry - A review

Poultry coccidiosis is an intestinal infection caused by an intracellular parasitic protozoan of the genus Eimeria. Coccidia-induced gastrointestinal inflammation results in large economic losses, hence finding methods to decrease its prevalence is critical for industry participants and academic researchers. It has been demonstrated that coccidiosis can be effectively controlled and managed by employing anticoccidial chemical compounds. However, as a result of their extensive use, anticoccidial drug resistance in Eimeria species has raised concerns. Phytochemical/herbal medicines (Artemisia annua, Bidens pilosa, and garlic) seem to be a promising strategy for preventing coccidiosis, in accordance with the "anticoccidial chemical-free" standards. The impact of herbal supplements on poultry coccidiosis is based on the reduction of oocyst output by preventing the proliferation and growth of Eimeria species in chicken gastrointestinal tissues and lowering intestinal permeability via increased epithelial turnover. This review provides a thorough up-to-date assessment of the state of the art and technologies in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis in chickens, including the most used phytochemical medications, their mode of action, and the applicable legal framework in the European Union.

Dietary Macleaya cordata extract supplementation improves the growth performance and gut health of broiler chickens with necrotic enteritis

BACKGROUND

The poultry industry needs effective antibiotic alternatives to control outbreaks of necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) on the immune function and gut microbiota of broilers with NE. A total of 288 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two concentrations of dietary MCE supplementation (0 or 350 mg/kg of diet) and two disease challenge statuses (control or NE).

RESULTS

The results revealed that NE significantly increased the feed conversion rate (FCR), mortality, intestinal lesion score, the levels of IL-1β, IL-17 and IFN-γ/IL-4 in serum and IL-17/IL-10 in the jejunal mucosa, mRNA levels of TLR2, IFN-γ and pIgR in the jejunum, and Clostridium perfringens concentrations in the cecum. NE significantly decreased the body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), jejunal villus height, V/C, mRNA level of AMPK-α1 in jejunum, IL-4 level in the jejunal mucosa and lactic acid bacteria abundance in the cecum. MCE significantly increased BW, BWG, jejunal villus height, V/C, mRNA levels of occludin, ZO-1 and AMPK-α1 in the jejunum, the levels of IgA and IgG in serum and IL-10 in the jejunal mucosa and mRNA levels of NF-κB, IL-10 and MHC-II in the jejunum. Additionally, MCE significantly decreased the FCR, mortality, intestinal lesion score, jejunal crypt depth, the levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 in serum and IL-17/IL-10 in the jejunal mucosa, Clostridium perfringens concentrations in the cecum, and mRNA levels of IL-17/IL-10 in the jejunum. Moreover, NE significantly increased the abundance of bacteria that are associated with inflammation, obesity and depression (Alistipes, Barnesiella, Intestinimonas, RF39 and UCG-005) and significantly decreased the abundance of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Anaerotruncus, Butyricicoccus and Bacteroides) in the cecum. MCE significantly increased the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria (Streptococcus, Ruminococcus_torques_group and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group) and significantly reduced the abundance of bacteria that are associated with inflammation and obesity (Alistipes, Barnesiella and UCG-010) in the cecum. In the cecum of broilers with NE, the relative abundance of Barnesiella and Alistipes was higher and that of Lachnoclostridium and Shuttleworthia was lower. Interestingly, these trends were reversed by the addition of MCE to the diet. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Barnesiella and Alistipes were associated with enhanced intestinal inflammation and inhibited growth performance, whereas Lachnoclostridium and Shuttleworthia were associated with anti-inflammatory effects.

CONCLUSIONS

MCE ameliorated the loss of growth performance in broiler chickens with NE, probably by regulating the intestinal barrier, immune function, and gut microbiota.

Schisandra B, a representative lignan from Schisandra chinensis, improves cisplatin-induced toxicity: An in vitro study

Schisandrin B (Scheme B) is the most abundant and active lignan monomer isolated from Schisandra chinensis. At present, most reports focus on its cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects, however, the related reports on gastrointestinal protective effects are still limited. The study aims to evaluate the protective effect of Scheme B on cisplatin-induced rat intestinal crypt epithelial (IEC-6) cell injury and the possible molecular mechanisms. The results showed that Scheme B at 2.5, 5 and 10 μM could inhibit dose-dependently the reduction of cell activity induced by cisplatin exposure at 1 μM, decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), while increasing glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to alleviate oxidative stress injury in IEC-6 cell lines. Meanwhile, Scheme B could relieve cisplatin-induced apoptosis by regulating PI3K/AKT and the downstream caspase signaling pathway. The results from flow cytometry analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) staining also demonstrated the anti-apoptosis effect of Scheme B. Furthermore, Scheme B was found to reduce the inflammation associated with cell damage by evaluating the protein expressions of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Importantly, Wnt/β-catenin, as a functional signaling pathway that drives intestinal self-recovery, was also in part regulated by Scheme B. In conclusion, Scheme B might alleviate cisplatin-induced IEC-6 cell damage by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and repairing intestinal barrier function. The present research provides a strong evidence that Scheme B may be a useful modulator in cisplatin-induced intestinal toxicity.

Preclinical safety evaluation of Macleaya Cordata extract: A re-assessment of general toxicity and genotoxicity properties in rodents

Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) is widely used for its diverse pharmacological actions and beneficial effects on farm animals. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial activities, and is gradually becoming a long-term additive veterinary drug used to improve animal intestinal health and growth performance. Although some evidence points to the DNA mutagenic potential of sanguinarine (SAN), a major component of MCE, there is a lack of sufficient basic toxicological information on the oral route, posing a potential safety risk for human consumption of food of animal origin. In this study, we assessed the acute oral toxicity, repeated 90-day oral toxicity and 180-day chronic toxicity of MCE in rats and mice and re-evaluated the genotoxicity of MCE using a standard combined in vivo and ex vivo assay. In the oral acute toxicity test, the LD₅₀ for MCE in rats and mice was 1,564.55 mg/kg (95% confidence interval 1,386.97–1,764.95 mg/kg) and 1,024.33 mg/kg (95% confidence interval 964.27–1,087.30 mg/kg), respectively. The dose range tested had no significant effect on hematology, clinical chemistry, and histopathological findings in rodents in the long-term toxicity assessment. The results of the bacterial reverse mutation, sperm abnormality and micronucleus test showed negative results and lack of mutagenicity and teratogenicity; the results of the rat teratogenicity test showed no significant reproductive or embryotoxicity. The results indicate that MCE was safe in the dose range tested in this preclinical safety assessment. This study provides data to support the further development of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for MCE.